Scott Gimple Confirmed as ‘Walking Dead’ Showrunner

AMC has finally confirmed Scott M. Gimple as the new showrunner of "The Walking Dead," and announced that the fourth season will start production May 6.

Gimple (pictured) becomes the show's third showrunner after Frank Darbont and Glen Mazzara both parted ways with the show due to differences with AMC.

The show will return with 16 episodes in October. It is currently in the second half of its third season.

Gimple had been expected to take the job since last month. He wrote several key episodes, including Season 2's midseason, "Pretty Much Dead Already", which horrifically revealed that Sophia was among the walkers in a barn on Hershel's farm.

AMC also announced that Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse will be promoted to executive producers with Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, and Robert Kirkman, who created the comics on which the hit series is based.

“Scott has been an essential part of this show since he came aboard at the very beginning of season two. He's contributed to guiding this show in a substantial way that has resulted in a lot of the key scenes and storylines fans have dubbed signature moments of ‘The Walking Dead,’” said Kirkman. “I am thrilled to begin work on a brand new season of ‘The Walking Dead’ with Scott at the helm, and I truly believe we could be embarking on what will be the best season of this show yet.”

Added Gimple: “I'm thrilled to continue the tradition of the spectacular, cinematic, horrifying, exciting and emotional storytelling of ‘The Walking Dead,’” said Gimple. “I'm a huge fan of the comics, and started with the show on the other side of the set, as an avid viewer. Over the past two years, it's been an incredible privilege making such great television with the best cast and crew I've ever worked with – I can't wait to make some more.”

Nicoteroand his team received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup two years in a row (2011/2012) for their work on “The Walking Dead.” In addition to leading the visual and special effects and makeup for the series, Nicotero has directed several episodes. Luse has been with the show since the beginning of production and manages and oversees the day-to-day production of the series.

"Scott's voice has been an integral one since he joined the show. Greg Nicotero is a true artist whose work is simply brilliant. And, Tom Luse has really created the machine that allows this very large show to get made week to week. We congratulate all three in their new roles on the series and look forward to ramping up production on season four," said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s executive vice president of original programming, production and digital content.

Earlier this month, Mazzara told TheWrap about Gimple's role within the writer's room.

"He and Evan Reilly were my No. 2 writers, breaking story while I was working on other material," Mazzara said. "Scott was very helpful with schedules and delivering material."